Turn, Turn, Turn

As it is often helpful to have a map when exploring new territory, I'd like to return to a discussion of the yoga sutras by talking about the turnings of the mind. What are these vritti that cloud our perception, allowing us to believe we are limited creatures, and how do we know begin to know them?

For this discussion, I find it helpful to tune in to the image of a wagon wheel. I first came across this image in the Jivamukti Yoga book and many of you have heard me speak of it. Basically, much of our experience happens at the outer edge of this wheel, the ups & downs, the bumps in the road, the smoothly paved path before us, etc. The goal of yoga is to find ourselves at the center of the wheel so while we are still aware & conscious of that which happens on the outer edge, we may not be pulled and/or pushed by our experiences and thoughts. We can remain calm and connected in our center.

Sutra I.5 states that the mind turns in five basic ways which are either painful or painless: “Vrittayah panchatayyah klishta-aklishtah.” Here, 'painful' and 'painless' must not be confused with happy and unhappy or pleasure and lack of pleasure. Happy and pleasurable events can still bring us pain. For example, love can lead to heart break, which can then lead to a great awakening; we can become very uncomfortable after the joy of a pleasurable meal, etc. The sutras go on to discuss these five categories: correct knowledge, incorrect knowledge, imagination, sleep and memory. At any given time are minds are spinning one of these ways of thinking.

The Sutras continue:
Sutra I.12 Turnings of the mind (vrittis) are restrained by practice and non-attachment.
Sutra I.13 Of these two, effort toward steadiness of mind is practice.

Whatever you do that slows your mind so you can watch the thoughts, if it's knitting, if you knit with total focus on the task, this is also your yoga. However, if you knit because it allows you to 'check out,' than this is something else entirely. Think of this as slowing the wheel down to inspect it for wear and tear. You don't have to be on your mat or sitting somewhere with your legs crossed and your eyes closed to be practicing steadiness of mind. You could be in traffic, you could be in line at the grocery store. As you practice in these small ways, it ingrains the habit in your mind and soon you will be aware of your thoughts more often than not.

In my own life, I used to berate myself for not sitting at least 20 minutes a day until I realized the goal of this sitting was to create mindfulness in all the other little moments. Now I find myself more willing to sit still, allowing my mind and spirit to integrate all that I have been aware of throughout the day. The significance of this comes back to the sutras: Whatever you enjoy doing that allows the mind to come into complete focus so it is not running around like a crazy monkey, this is your yoga. Has any good ever come from crazy monkeys running around amok?

Being aware of our thoughts all the time may be a stretch but look at it this way: If your car has broken down, don't you spend the time and money to get it fixed? If you are in love, don't you spend countless joyful days and weeks on end getting to know every detail of that person? Why don't we do this for ourselves?

Something to contemplate until next time. Jai!